Greenfield Recorder

Auditor DiZoglio drums up support for Question 1 in visit to Greenfield

As part of a statewide effort to encourage voters to vote “yes” on Question 1, State Auditor Diana DiZoglio met with Franklin County Continuing the Political Revolution last week at the Guiding Star Grange in Greenfield. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO/PAUL JABLON

Published: 10-22-2024 9:59 AM By ADA DENENFELD KELLY

GREENFIELD — State Auditor Diana DiZoglio ran on the promise of bringing transparency and accountability to the Massachusetts Legislature. Now, after a failed attempt to audit the Legislature last year, she is asking for support from voters.

As part of a statewide effort to encourage voters to vote “yes” on Question 1, DiZoglio met with Franklin County Continuing the Political Revolution (FCCPR) last week. Question 1, if passed, “would specify that the state auditor has the authority to audit the Legislature,” according to a voters guide printed by the Secretary of State’s Office. Rejection would mean no change in the auditor’s authority.

DiZoglio told attendees gathered at the Guiding Star Grange that the state auditor has audited the Legislature more than 100 times since the inception of the office in 1849, “just like [in] every other state.” It wasn’t until the early 1990s that the then-Speaker of the House resisted an audit and the attorney general ruled state law was ambiguous.

“When I went to go conduct this audit of the state Legislature [last year], I was met with resistance from House and Senate leaders who pushed back and said, essentially, ‘You’re not auditing us. We audit ourselves,’” DiZoglio said.

After discussing the issue with the Attorney General’s Office, DiZoglio decided to create the November ballot measure, clarifying state law.

DiZoglio said transparency is lacking in state government — a 2019 Pioneer Institute study ranked Massachusetts near the bottom in fiscal transparency, and a 2022 article in Forbes magazine made a case for the state being the least transparent in the nation.

In March, members of a Special Joint Committee on Initiative Petitions recommended against “An act expressly authorizing the auditor to audit the Legislature.” Legislators who spoke at the time implied that DiZoglio’s efforts would erode the independence of the government’s three branches.

The Legislature has pointed out that legislative audits are conducted annually by the private firm CliftonLarsonAllen and typically include an overview of how the legislative process works and financial statements on budgetary accounts, but there are no line item breakdowns of spending.

While the auditing idea is largely opposed by the Democrat-led House and Senate, Pioneer Valley legislators, when contacted by a Daily Hampshire Gazette reporter in September, largely opted not to take a public stance on the ballot question.

DiZoglio also told those gathered at the Guiding Star Grange last week about her personal journey to becoming state auditor. After graduating from college, she got a job at the State House.

“I very quickly learned about all the great things our state Legislature can do,” DiZoglio said. “From investing in education to fighting against climate change to fighting for reproductive rights … I learned about all of these great things. But, I also learned about the flip side — what can go wrong when there is no accountability.”

According to DiZoglio, she experienced sexual harassment while working at the State House and was fired after reporting her experience. This inspired her to run for state representative, a position she held for six years before running for state senator representing the 1st Essex District. She was a senator for another four years.

When former State Auditor Suzanne Bump decided to not seek reelection, DiZoglio “did some soul-searching” and decided to run for the position in hopes of bringing more transparency to the Legislature from the outside.

Additionally, DiZoglio clarified some misconceptions about the state auditor’s role during her visit to Franklin County. As auditor, DiZoglio does not have enforcement authority. Rather, she creates a report based on her findings, and the Attorney General’s Office is responsible for any enforcement measures based on issues found.

In addition to her meeting with FCCPR, DiZoglio met with other Franklin County groups and officials, including the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce, the Greenfield Business Association, Mayor Ginny Desorgher and Greenfield Community College President Michelle Schutt.

DiZoglio said she is grateful for the support of groups like FCCPR.

“I … wanted to come out to this wonderful group of progressive democrats who I was thrilled to hear support this initiative,” DiZoglio said in an interview. “We really have a fight on our hands, fighting against establishment rhetoric surrounding our audit initiative. But, with a powerhouse group of supporters like those … here tonight, we are confident that we are going to see success on Nov. 5, and be able to do our jobs to increase transparency, accountability and equity.”